Pessimism and Optimism 8

Then, some people will criticize you for being “blindly optimistic”.

I believe you should not feel unfamiliar with such criticism.

This kind of thing usually happens like this - A discovers that B does not see a certain risk but maintains an optimistic expectation of the matter. So A will explain this danger to B, and then advise B “don’t be blindly optimistic”.

This plot happens over and over again, naturally as breathing.

Right?

“Blind optimism”, what a terrible thing.

“You are being blindly optimistic”, what a dangerous thing.

“In any case, we can’t be blindly optimistic.” - What a correct attitude.

“Winners must all think this way” - you believe.

Right?

Is there any problem with this?

Of course there is.

And a big one.

Because “risks that you have not yet identified still exist” is an objective, eternal, absolute fact unrelated to whether you are pessimistic or optimistic.

Whether pessimistic or optimistic, you are blind. Whether your grades are good or bad, you are blind.

If you do not admit you are blind, you are more blind than those who admit they are blind.

Blindness is absolute. All optimism is necessarily blind optimism.

There is no such thing as unblind optimism in this world, so those who oppose blind optimism are actually opposing optimism itself.

They only add the word “blind” to make their condemnation appear just.

If they indeed have a point, it can only be “you should not let your guard down”.

Of course you should stay vigilant,

not conceal your weaknesses, not fool yourself.

But the question is, are pessimists actually more likely to conceal weaknesses and fool themselves, or optimists?

Do you understand?

Someone who appears very optimistic, but cannot take bad news -

are they truly optimistic?

Or are they a pessimist who has barely pieced together enough rubble to suppress their fears, so they absolutely cannot allow anyone to touch it?

Do you see this bizarre truth? - Those “optimists” are actually pessimists in disguise.

Their optimism is merely a sedative they piled together for themselves using fragmented evidence.

True blind optimists need no sufficient evidence to irrationally believe they will succeed.

Precisely because of this, they will not change their minds when someone proves their evidence is inadequate.

Who are the real optimists?

Those who clearly know they lack sufficient evidence, yet still do not worry they will fail.

True optimists, aka blind optimists (blindness is absolute),

are those who soberly recognize their own blindness, yet remain optimistic.

If you do not soberly acknowledge your own blindness, then your optimism cannot withstand a few warnings from others - you are merely a pessimist barely soothing yourself.

Blind optimism is a state that relies on sober awareness as a prerequisite.

It is not bad, but truly good.

Its problem is it is hard to obtain, and hard to protect and nurture.